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Thursday, 29 September 2011

Muir calls for action to tackle abandoned advertising lorries

A coordinated government response is required to tackle problem
concerning advertising lorries abandoned on bridges across main roads across
Northern Ireland.

I have raised the issue as a result of on-going problem with many lorries abandoned on
the Holywood Exchange Flyover on the A2 Bangor to Belfast Road advertising a
range of items including Pony Rides, Electrical Goods, Furniture and grass
cutting for many days.

Over the last few months I have been liaising with various
government agencies to resolve this matter which has caused a significant
number of complaints. Many motorists fear that the distractions could cause an
accident and a disabled resident has contacted me unable to travel to
Sainsbury's via her electric scooter as a result of lorries parked on the
pavement.

Unfortunately nobody seems keen to
tackle the issue with both the Police and Roads Service in dispute concerning
who is responsible and the Planning Service reluctant to act since the vehicles
are not permanent structures.

In the absence of any co-ordinated action by government I and others now
have to contact each company and plead with them to move their vehicles, with
many trucks returning a few days later often at the weekend when government
offices are closed.

I urgently call upon Roads Service, Police and Planning Service to agree
a co-ordinated strategy to eliminate this activity before a road accident
occurs. Disabled people should no longer be denied passage to local shops by
companies involved in advertising like this.